The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) has called on the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to partner with the chamber in building an ecosystem for a strong accessible and sustainable energy for businesses.

The President of the ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, made the call at the inauguration ceremony of the Energy Efficiency Awareness Campaign on Thursday in Abuja.

The inauguration, with the theme “Empower Your Business: Save Energy, Boost Profits,” was organised by the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC) of the chamber, in collaboration with Winock Solar Group.

Mr Obegolu said that the world was undergoing a major energy transition, adding that Nigeria must not be left behind.

He said that energy was no longer just a cost of doing business; it has become a catalyst for competitiveness, innovation, and inclusive development.

He said that the campaign was designed to educate, empower and equip Nigerian businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the knowledge and tools needed to embrace energy efficiency and adopt renewable energy solutions.

The ACCI president said that through NPAC, the chamber was actively advocating for sound energy policies that support the transition to a green economy.

According to him, through our partnerships, we connect the private sector with opportunities in green finance, technology and clean energy solutions.

He said, “We believe that renewable energy is not just an environmental necessity; it is a smart business decision. It offers a path to energy security, cost reduction and a more competitive and productive industrial sector.’’

He called on stakeholders, government agencies, international development partners, private sector players, and civil society organisations to collaborate with the chamber.

He said, “The collaboration will help us to build an ecosystem where every Nigerian business, no matter the size, has access to sustainable energy solutions.’’

The director-general of the ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, said that the challenges associated with electricity supply in Nigeria were well known.

According to Mr Jideani, transitioning to alternative energy sources such as solar is not only timely but essential.

He said, “Solar is not just the future; it is the now business.’’

The director-general said that the campaign marked a pivotal step in the journey toward sustainable business practices and economic resilience.

He said that it was an initiative under the chamber’s Green Energy Agenda for 2025.

He said that the agenda aimed at promoting energy efficiency and adopting renewable energy solutions among small and medium enterprises across Nigeria.

“The ACCI believes that the success of our economy is intrinsically linked to how efficiently we utilise energy, particularly within the SME sector, which remains the backbone of our national development,” he said.

Also, Project Manager of the Green/Digital Economy, European Union, Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Frank Okafor, said that the EU remained deeply committed to supporting Nigeria toward a sustainable and prosperous future.

‘We believe that by working together, we can overcome shared challenges and harness the immense potential of our partnership for the benefit of all our citizens,’ he said.

The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, urged Nigerians to adopt and promote energy efficiency and conservation best practices in the exploration and utilisation of the nation’s energy resources.

Mr Abdullahi said that the objective would guarantee energy access for all at appropriate costs and in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Winock Solar Group, Sanmi Lajuwomi, said that it was time for Nigeria to demystify solar energy.

According to him, solar power is a simple, scalable solution that converts sunlight into usable electricity, without noise, fumes, or ongoing fuel costs.

He said, “I am especially proud that Winock Solar has been selected as the technical partner to support this movement because awareness is the first step to transformation.’’

(NAN)